EDUCATION 1105 “INTRODUCTION TO THE UNIVERSITY”
3 credits

Course Syllabus Template

Updated June, 2007

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NOTE: You are not required to use the following language verbatim. However, you are required to include all the following sections in your syllabus (Course Introduction, Academic Ethics, Course Goals, etc., in whatever order makes the most sense to you). Further you should use language to describe these sections which is supportive of the philosophy of Education 1105 -- as noted in the suggested language included in this syllabus template.

GENERAL INFORMATION

COURSE INTRODUCTION:

The purpose of this course is to help you become a more effective student. In this course, you will learn how to use and locate important campus resources. You will learn more about who you are and how that information helps you choose a major and a career. Finally, you will learn how to increase your chances of succeeding in college by using essential academic skills. This may be one of the most important courses you will take at Weber State University.

ACADEMIC ETHICS:

All students are expected to observe the rights and responsibilities outlined in the WSU Student Code. Because an important part of being a college student is academic honesty, it is the expectation in this course that you will complete all academic work without resorting to cheating, plagiarism, lying and/or bribery. The WSU Student Code includes a more extensive list of prohibited behaviors; you should familiarize yourself with all aspects of the code. Students who commit infractions of the WSU Student Code will be dealt with according to procedures outlined in the code. Penalties could include receiving a failing grade for this course, being suspended from school, and the like. It is very important that you clearly understand this course expectation.

* * * PLEASE NOTE * * *

Any student requiring accommodations or services to a disability must contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in Student Service Center 181. SSD can also arrange to provide materials (including this syllabus) in alternative formats if necessary.

COURSE GOALS:

By the end of this course, you will be able to

Work effectively within the University system, including

• complete an academic plan with the help of an advisor
• register for classes
• demonstrate an awareness of students' rights and responsibilities
• use the electronic-mail system with other students and faculty
• access the library and computer databases
• describe what makes up the "university culture"

Describe aspects of yourself which affect your academic success, including

• your style of communicating with other students and faculty
• what types of learning situations are best for you
• the cultural experiences and values which define you and other people
• how you can bring about change within yourself

Complete essential steps in identifying a major and career

• match your interests and abilities with careers and majors
• list career networking strategies
• learn to prepare for an advising appointment
• create an effective resume

Use important academic skills, including

• time management
• textbook reading
• note-taking
• test-taking
• memory strategies

COURSE EXPECTATIONS:

To help you reach the course goals, each class session will include opportunities for you to discuss and apply the topics being presented. There will be small and large group work during class. There will also be assignments which must be completed outside of class time. You are expected to have read the assigned material before class in order to be ready to participate in the discussions. My role is to provide a classroom environment where you will want to express your opinions and will feel safe in doing so. I will do all I can to help make this course a positive experience for you, but you are responsible for what you get out of this course. As a college student, you are responsible for your learning. I can help, but I can’t do it for you.

NOTE: What follows are mandatory aspects of this Education 1105 course (writing, note-taking, oral communication, etc.). You are free to describe what these aspects mean in your own words, but all sections of Education 1105 must include these 8 aspects.

What follows is a list of my general course expectations; these will be discussed in more detail in class:

1. Writing and note-taking: Take notes during class sessions and complete at least one writing assignment each week. Some assignments will be graded for quality (how well or poorly they were completed); others will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis (did you do them on time or not). Writing assignments are described in more detail later in the syllabus.
2. Oral communication: Participate in class discussions, both in small and large group settings. You will have one graded oral communication assignment which is described later in this syllabus.
3. Mid-term and final exams: You will have mid-term and final exams; the final exam will be cumulative.
4. Computer competency: If you haven't done so already, activate your Wildcat account. It is expected that you will use e-mail regularly, preferably on a weekly basis, to communicate with me, the Peer Mentor and other students. Letter-graded, written assignments in this course must be computer edited and double-spaced (they may be submitted electronically). Assignments which are graded pass-fail in this course do not need to be typed.
5. Time management: Use your FYE planner to help you keep track of deadlines and other commitments for this and any other courses you may be taking. Read the assigned material before the scheduled class session and complete the writing exercises that have been assigned. Course assignments must be completed on time; to do otherwise will jeopardize your course grade. It is my expectation that you will attend class (90% of success in life is showing up). You are allowed one unexcused absence for this course (more than one will affect your final course grade). Excused absences will be given for bona fide illness, death of an immediate family member, official religious holiday, etc.
6. Organize the course material: Insert this syllabus and other class materials (papers, exercises, handouts, time-management calendar, etc.) into the binder provided by First Year Experience. You should bring this 3-ring binder, along with the course textbooks, to each class session.
7. Get to know your Peer Mentor: This course section has been assigned a student peer mentor who will work with you: he or she is there to represent the course instructor (me) and the University. Listen to what this person tells you -- it could be the best advice you get!
8. Participation in the class "social": The class social is an event planned by your peer mentor. You are expected to attend class that day and participate in the class social. The peer mentor is provided funds for the social and will include your class in planning the activities.

Assignments will be weighted as follows:

NOTE: Include a list of assignments and their relative weight here; you may want to differentiate between mid-term and final exams, exercises, papers, group presentations, attendance/participation, etc., as noted below. Indicate if assignments will be letter-graded or P/F graded.

mid-term and final exams

Education 1105 courses must have a mid-term and a final exam; at least one essay question should be part of these exams. Mid-term grades will be issued, based on the results of the mid-term exam and other assignments. The final exam should be cumulative and challenge students to bring together the major course components. The final examination must be given in accordance with the University exam schedule.

xx exercises

Exercises are assignments designed to help students prepare for class activities or to apply what they've learned from class discussions. Exercises contribute to students’ success in Education 1105 and in their other courses. The time necessary to complete the exercises can vary from less than an hour to a couple of hours. List required exercises and due dates here:

Include language which describes how the exercises may be graded:

xx papers/projects, xx-xx pages in length

• Papers are assignments which require students to reflect on and assess what they've learned.
• Papers are longer than exercises (minimum of 2-3 pages) and must be computer edited.
• Papers may be submitted via e-mail. List required papers and due dates here:

Include language which describes how the papers/projects may be graded:

An additional requirement may be selected by the course instructor but must be supported by an adequate description. For example, an additional assignment could be a self assessment of attendance/participation at an event, a summary of an activity, or a graded oral communication project. If students are required to participate in a formal group presentation, you should identify the length of the presentation, acceptable topics for the presentation, how groups will be selected, and when presentations are due. In addition, you should provide time during a class meeting for students to work in their groups on their presentations. Finally, identify how the presentations will be graded:

Education 1105 is a letter-graded course. You may want to include +/- options or the opportunity to earn bonus points. Course grades will be determined as follows):

COURSE CALENDAR:

NOTE: The course calendar should provide a detailed list of course activities, assignments and due dates. It should also include information on University calendar dates that will affect the course (holidays, last class of the term, etc.). Dates for the mid-term and final examinations, visits to campus offices (Career Center, Academic Advisement Center, Computer Labs, Library, etc.), must be identified.

The following ten content areas are mandatory for Education 1105. Some of these areas are supported by standardized modules; all required content areas may be taught by the Education 1105 instructor or by a guest presenter:

1. Participation in the class "social." - The class social is an event planned by your peer mentor. You are expected to attend class that day and participate in the class social. The peer mentor is provided $3 per person for the social and will include your class in planning the activities.
2. Academic Advising Module - The Academic Advisement Center has developed a module (time and date listed on the FYE Web site) which covers important academic planning information. As a follow-up to this module, students are required to meet at least once with an advisor (major department or Academic Advisement) to create an academic plan. This academic plan may be a course paper or report. See the advisor conducting the Academic Advising Module for your section or contact the Academic Advisement Center, ext 6752 menu option 5, for more information.
3. Career Interest/Exploration Module - The Career Center has developed a module (contact information for counselor assigned to your section listed on the FYE Web site) to provide students with preliminary career interest/exploration information. Students will complete interest inventories as part of this module. The results of this module may be incorporated in a paper or report. See the counselor conducting the Career Interest/Exploration Module for your section or contact the Career Center, ext. 6393, for more information.
4. Library Module - The Library faculty have developed a module (time and date listed on the FYE Web site) to assist FYE students in becoming oriented to the Library. The follow-up Library exercise may be required as a course exercise or paper. See the library staff member conducting the module for your session or contact the Library, ext. 6071, for more information. Make sure that your students complete the online and the hard copy evaluation forms.
5. Service Learning Module - Students are required to perform a minimum of five hours of service learning for this course. The outcomes of this service learning experience may be expressed in a paper or report. For forms and more information, see the Service Learning Module page. You can also contact the FYE Office, ext. 6081, for more information.
6. Academic Status Module - Instead of faculty issuing mid-term grades, students in Education 1105 are taught how to compute their GPA and determine their academic standing.
7. Alcohol/Drugs - Because substance abuse is related inextricably to academic problems and acts of vandalism, sexual assault, etc., this is a vital topic to be included in Education 1105.
8. Study Skills (memory, note taking, test anxiety, test taking, textbook reading) - The ability to practice effective study skills is one of the important outcomes of the FYE Program.
9. Time Management - Successful students are able to manage the often conflicting time demands of college, work, family obligations, and other priorities.
10. Understanding Relationships/Sex and the College Student - Due to the epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases on American college campuses and the impact on related health problems and the student's physical, mental, and academic well-being, sexual decision-making continues to be a vital component of the course.
11. WSU Support Services, Organizations and Activities - Being a successful student is influenced by knowing where and how to get help from important WSU offices.

Other content areas which may be included in Education 1105 include:

• Academic integrity
• Critical thinking
• Good citizenship and involvement in our democratic political processes
• Multiculturalism and respect for cultural diversity (may include attendance at plays, films, lectures, concerts, and other cultural events)
• Safety on and off campus
• The meaning of higher education
• Stress
• Financial management
• Wellness and health issues
• Other relevant topics...